Māori Party Slams Low Income Earners Pitiful Wage Increase

The Māori Party today slammed the
Government’s announcement that the minimum wage is to
increase by a pitiful 25 cents.

Today, Labour Minister
Simon Bridges announced the minimum wage will increase from
$13.50 to $13.75 on the first of April.

“The Government
had an opportunity to address low wages by increasing them
to a more realistic level, but instead has insulted low
income earners with today’s announcement,” said MP for
Waiariki Te Ururoa Flavell.

“The Maori Party believes
the minimum wage should rise to $16 an hour. There is
researched evidence to show that increasing the minimum wage
doesn’t lead to massive job losses and it can in fact
increase productivity and economic efficiency.”

“The
Government should focus on reducing wage inequality by
targeting high wages of excessively high income
earners.”

“The Government should be ashamed of
themselves. There isn’t a member of Parliament in this
house that could live on that meagre amount.”

“The
Maori Party sees the increase in income inequality over the
last 25 years as a major threat to our economic well-being
and social cohesion. Lifting the minimum wage to $16 would
be an immediate way to restore some balance,” said Te
Ururoa.

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